Grab.



PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906;

J. A. THORNTON.

GRAB.

APPLICATION FILED r3125. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

J. A. THORNTON.

GRAB.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. 1904.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

51 m L ma; Jfi mar/77 w RAB.

PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

J. A. THORNTON.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

GRAB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1906.

Application filed February 25, 1904. Serial No. 195,277-

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. THORNTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morgan City, in the parish of St. Mary and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grabs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in. grabs adapted for use in connection with hoisting mechanism, and which is especially suitable for hoisting and dropping sugar-cane and other similar material. The device is rendered especially useful in loading or unloading barges, cars, &c., of'this material.

The invention consists of oppositely-disposed series of curved fingers which are connected to a movable pivot adapted to be operated by cables suitably connected thereto. Operating-arms are pivoted to the fingers at points between their ends and to each other, and these last-mentioned pivots are adapted to be raised or lowered simultaneously independently of the pivots of the fingers.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which Figure l is a side elevation of the hoisting apparatus, the intermediate portions of the cables thereof being removed. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus, the intermediate portion of the cables and operatingarms being removed; and Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a pivot-shaft which extends longitudinally of the apparatus and has sleeves 2 keyed thereon. Extending from each sleeve are parallel ears 2*, between which is pivoted a curved finger 3, having a broad inner or working face 4 and provided at a point adjacent the center thereof with parallel reinforcing-plates 5, which constitute ears. These fingers 3 are arranged in parallel series, the two series being oppositely arranged and adapted to move between each other when swung together. Mounted on the shaft 1 and between the ears 2 are straps 6, which extend upward from the shaft and have sheaves 7 journaled therein. Parallel longitudinally-extending rods 8 connect the fingers of each series so as to cause said fingers to swing or operate in unison. A second thereunder.

pivot shaft 9 is arranged parallel with the shaft 1 at a suitable point therefrom, and mounted on this shaft are sleeves 10, having parallel ears 11 depending therefrom. Pivotedbetween each pair of these ears are two oppositely-extending operating-bars 12, which project downward. and are pivoted between the reinforcing-plates 5 of the fingers 3 Hangers 13 are also arranged on the shaft 9 and have sheaves 13 therein. Straps 14 are connected to the shaft 9 adjacent its ends and have sheaves 15 connected thereto and which are adapted to be supported by hoisting-cables 16.

Preferably two operating-cables 17 are employed. Each of these cables extends downward to one of the end sheaves 7 and under the same and thence upward over one of the central sheaves 13 and downward under and over the remaining sheaves 7 and 13 respectively. One end of each cable is secured to the shaft 9 in any suitable manner, as shown at 18. As two of these operatingecables 17 are employed, it will be understood that when both are drawn upward in unison the shaft 1 will be raised thereby, and as this shaft is connected to the inner pivots of the fingers said fingers will be swung inward upon the lower pivots of the arms 12, and that when it is desired to swing the fingers from each other it merely becomes necessary to remove upward pressure upon the cables 17 and draw upward with the cables 16. As these lastmentioned cables are connected to the upper pivot-shaft 9, the said shaft will draw the operating-bars 12 therewith and will swing the fingers away from each other. In view of the above operation of the device it will be seen that the same can be very readily and conveniently used for grabbing large bundles of sugar-cane or similar material, carrying it upward, and discharging it at a desired point. Suitable mechanism (not shown) is employed whereby the two operating-cables 17 may be raised or lowered in unison and the two cables 16 may also be operated together.

When it is desired to grab a bundle of cane, the cables 16 are permitted to support practically the entire weight of the grab, and said cables are lowered, so as to bring the fingers into position directly upon the cane. The cables 16 are loosened, and the entire weight of the grab is then placed upon the cables 17, and these last-mentioned cables are drawn upward. The pivot-shaft 1 is thus carried upward, and as a similar upward pressure is not exerted upon the operating -bars 12 it will be understood that the two series offingers 3 will be swung inward and will dig into the cane and securely grip it. It will then carry the same upward, and when it is desired to discharge it from the fingers it becomes merely necessary to again transfer the weight of the grab from the cables 17 to cables 16, whereupon the upward pressure will be exerted upon the bars 12 and the fingers will be caused to spread apart by gravity. By providing the arrangement of cables described the grab can be carried any desired distance and will be prevented from swinging out of proper position or from twisting or turning when suspended in midair, thereb enabling the operator to drop the grab wit accuracy in the desired spot. As the fingers can move between each other, it will be understood that very small as well as large bundles can be grabbed by them.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination with a pivot-shaft, of oppositely-disposed series of connected grabfingers, reinforcing-plates connected to the fingers, a second pivot-shaft, operating-bars connected thereto and to the reinforcingplates, and means for raising and lowering the shafts independently of each other.

2. The combination with a pivot-shaft having sleeves removably mounted thereon; of oppositely-arranged series of curved grab-fingers extending from thesleeves, reinforcingplates upon said fingers, connecting-rods secured to the fingers of each series, sheaves connected to the pivot-shaft, a second pivotshaft, sheaves connected thereto, operating bars connected to the shaft and to the reinforcing-plates, hoisting-cables arranged u on the sheaves, and hoisting-cables connecte to the second ivot-shaft.

3. In a evice of the character described,

the combination with a pivot-shaft having sleeves removably mounted thereon; of oppositely-arranged series of grab-fingers extending from the sleeves, a second pivot-shaft, operating-bars connected thereto and to the grab-fingers, sheaves connected to the pivotshafts, and means for drawing the sheaves simultaneously toward each other.

4. In a grapple the combination of o positely-disposed claw members, s aced plates secured to said claw members, inks or bars pivoted between said plates, elevating means connected to the links, and operating means for opening and closing the claws interposed between the links and claws.

5. In a grapple, a series of tongs, a corresponding series of links pivoted to the members of the tongs, rods or bars connecting the tongs and links in series, elevating means applied to the rod connecting the links, and operating means having running connection with both of said rods to effect an opening and closing of the tongs.

6. In a grapple, a series of tongs, a corresponding series of links pivoted to the members of the tongs, rods or bars connecting the tongs and links in series, sheave-pulleys applied to said rods or bars, and a rope connected to the device and passed around said sheave-pulleys and adapted to be manipulated to effect an opening and a closing of the tongs.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. THORNTON.

Witnesses: H. O. RUNYAN,

S. A. THORNTON. 

